Fixtures for telescoping trailers

ABSTRACT

Interior fixtures for use in height-telescoping trailers includes a full-length cabinet. The cabinet is formed in two sections with the lower section track-mounted for selective positioning away from underneath the upper section. The lower cabinet presents a work surface and may hold heavy articles. A folding table is also provided. The folding table may selectively be used as a table or stowed at the table bench ends, providing a large cleared area.

States Patent Commaims [451 Jim. l, W?

FIXTURES FDR TELESCOPING TRAILERS Inventor: Donald V. Commans, Lakewood, Colo.

Assignee: Jo Bud, llnc., Lakewood, Colo.

Filed: July 30, 1970 Appl. No.: 59,533

us. Cl ..296/23, 296/27 rm. cu ..B60p 21/34 Field of Search ..29s/23 c, 23 MC, 27

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Remmert ..296/23.3

Primary ExaminerPhilip Goodman Attorney-Richard D. Law

[ ABSTRACT Interior fixtures for use in height-telescoping trailers includes a full-length cabinet. The cabinet is formed in two sections with the lower section track-mounted for selective positioning away from underneath the upper section. The lower cabinet presents a work surface and may hold heavy articles A folding table is also provided. The folding table may selectively be used as a table or stowed at the table [bench ends, providing a large cleared area.

4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED JAN 1 a r972 SHEET 1 [IF 2 rad FIG. 3

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46 I] [H mm "mm Wm H 2 DONALD V. COM MANS I I 65 72 50 73 66 f 6 ATTORNEY FIXTURES FUR TELESCOPING TRAILERS Housetrailers and camping trailers which telescope from low profile to full height are becoming increasingly popular. For travel, these trailers are telescoped down from full height to low profile, and. thus, afford less wind resistance, improved rear vision for the driver, and may be pulled into camping spots unaccessable to standard height trailers. However, interior wall and ceiling mounted fixtures pose a problem in such trailers. When the upper portion of the trailer is telescoped down over the lower portion, wall mounted fixtures on the upper section may impinge on floor mounted portions in the attemptto telescope past one another. Thus ceiling mounted fixtures may be crushed against floor mounted fixtures, and full-height wall fixtures such as wardrobes and shelving appear to be unobtainable luxuries. Full-length wall fixtures may be made telescopable or collapsible, but articles on shelves therein may be broken or damaged when the fixture is contracted or collapsed. The table in the dining area, furthermore, should be stowed for travelling since it is usually loose and easily damaged by bouncing and jarring.

Included among the objects and advantages of the present invention is to provide fixtures which may be conveniently used in height-telescoping trailers.

Another object of the invention is to provide full-height, shelved closets which may be used in height-telescoping trailers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a table which is both conveniently used and securely stowed in a height telescoping trailer.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention may be readily ascertained by referring to the following description and appended illustrations in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially cutaway, of a heighttelescoping trailer fully extended in height;

FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of a trailer and cabinets, according to the invention, in position with the height-telescoping trailer fully extended in height;

FIG. 3 is a schematic side view of the cabinets of FIG. 2 in the height-telescoping trailer which is in a partially contracted position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the cabinets according to the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a table in an extended position, according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the table according to the invention illustrating up and stowed positions; and

FIG. 7 is a front elevational view of a table according to the invention in a stowed arrangement.

This invention is an improvement upon assignees prior patent of 14 Apr. 1970, U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,300 for a telescoping trailer including overhead cabinets.

The telescoping house trailer illustrated in FIG. 1 represents any one of a number of types currently being manufactured. It generally consists of a frame 13, hitch means 14, wheels 12, and an upper section which may be telescoped down, in the direction of the arrow, over lower section 11. Shown in the eutaway section of the trailer of FIG. 1 are cabinets 15 and 16. Cabinet 16 is slidably mounted on tracks 24, movable to a position forward of the upper cabinet, permitting the upper cabinet to telescope behind the lower cabinet. Taken together, the cabinets create a full-height storage cabinet arrangement of a type that is very desirable in house trailers. The cabinets may contain shelves, or drawers, or may be unrestricted inside except for a clothes bar across the top to form a wardrobe. Such cabinets are easily fabricated fromplywood or like materials on a wooden frame; door, drawer, and shelf arrangement is a matter of choice. The cabinets in use and stowed position are further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In these figures, the telescoping house trailer has upper section 10a and lower section'lla, and the upper and lower cabinets are 15a and 16a respectively. The cabinets may be located at the ends or sides of the trailer, with; the cabinets of FIG. I being shown at the end. The trailer of FIG. 2 is shown in a fully extended height position. The lower cabinet 16a is mounted on tracks 24a on which it slides from a position underneath upper cabinet 15a. In FIG. 2, by phantom lines, the position of lower cabinet 16a is indicated prior to telescoping upper trailer section 10a down over lower trailer section ill a; the arrow shows the direction of movement of lower cabinet 16a along track 26a.

FIG. 3 shows upper section a partially telescoped down over lower section Illa. To accomplish the downward telescoping, lower cabinet 116a has been slidably pulled away from wall 23 along track MmWhen upper trailer section 10a is telescoped fully down upon lower trailer section Illa, the doors 311 of cabinet 15a (FIG. 3) are held securely closed by the back 35 of lower cabinet 16a.

The track 26 is preferably inlaid in the floor to prevent an occupant from kicking it or stubbing a foot on it. However, various types of track may be used. Also, it is preferable to have the track follower secured in the track for holding the cabinet against bouncing.

The perspective of FIG. 4 shows lower cabinet 116a partially pulled forward from upper cabinet 15a along floor mounted tracks 24a and 24b. In such a position, lower cabinet 16a has exposed work surface 43. The usual compact trailer does not have many sturdy work surfaces because the presence of such work surfaces severely restricts floor space. Here, however, the top of cabinet 43 provides a large, sturdy work area when needed. When such a work area is no longer needed, lower cabinet 16a may easily be slid back on the tracks 24a and 24b so as to be flush with upper cabinet a and provide increased floor space. An advantage of this invention over a movable ceiling mounted cabinet is that the movable floor cabinet may be much heavier and sturdier or contain heavier articles. Also, a heavily laden floor mounted movable cabinet is easily movable and there is no danger of it falling from its tracks.

The tracks 24a and 24b shown in FIG. l are conventional tracks fixed rigidly to trailer floor 415. These conventional tracks may be screw mounted above the floor or could be recessed into the floor. Wheeled slides or rollers, also conventional, are then fixed to the bottom wall of lower cabinet 21 and mate with the track. Preferred rollers are the self-lubricating type such as nylon or teflon. The conventional-type roller which clamps into its track provides good stability for the cabinet while hauling the trailer. When extending above the floor, each track end 44a and 4411 may be provided with conventional stops. Such stops are to be placed at a point where lower cabinet 116a will just clear upper cabinet 15a when the trailer is in a contracted or telescoped position. Thus, cabinet 16a will not roll while the contracted trailer is being hauled from one location to another. Also, conventional locks may be used to secure the cabinet in a selected position. When upper cabinet 15a is provided with door opening knobs such as knobs 47a and 47b, such knobs should not be pointed so as to injure the rear of cabinet 16a duringtravel. Lower cabinet 16a may be provided with any of a number of handles, of which handle 46 is one embodiment, to aid in moving the cabinet along its track. Upper cabinet 15a is securely mounted along its top or backwall to the upper section of the trailer.

A foldable table, FIGS. 5 and 7, which may be conveniently used in a height-telescoping trailer, is arranged for use with opposed benches 65 and 66 having cushions 61, 62, 63 and 64. These cushioned benches provide seating at table 50 when in up or usable position. When the table is no longer needed, the area may be cleared. As previously mentioned, floor space in such compact trailers is at a premium. In the present invention, the table may be removed from the area and the floor space used for other purposes. A sliding curtain may be provided and the area, for example, used as a dressing room. Later, the area may be used as a bed, FIG. 7. In that configuration, opposed benches 65 and 66 remain stationary, but a board 71 is placed therebetween supported on rails 72 and 73 which are securely fastened to benches 65 and 66 respectively. The cushions slide across the board fl and the cushion backs (not shown) form a mattresslike covering for the entire area. Table 50 may, in fact, be used in place of board 71 when leg 53 is pivoted upwardly and the table laid on rails. 72 and 73.

The'construction of the table 50 includes a typical planar table top 51. The table top may be fabricated from one-of many materials conventionally used such as plastic,wood, fiberboard, etc. Table 50 has'a single leg 53 pivotally mounted by pivot pin 54 through bracket 55 securely fastened to table 50. Bracket 55 is a conventional-type bracketof which many variations are commercially available. The bracket holds leg 53 securely in one of two-selected positions; the first position is vertical, and the second is a retracted position parallel to and against the table surface 52. Table 50 is supported against trailer wall 57 by a conventional flange 59 and C-channel bracket 58 mounted on wall 57. Bracket 58 may be screw mounted on a wall, and it generally runs the width of the table. Curved flange S9 is screw mounted or otherwise securely fastened to the rear edge of table 50. The flange 59 is in the nature of a hook which is selectively mounted on bracket 58 to support table 50.

When the table is not needed, as during travel or after dining, the table is easily and securely stowed away. Flange 59 is lifted away from channel 58, leg 53 pivoted up against the tables bottom surface 52, and the table placed in a vertical position at the wall end of the benches, FIG. 7. Rails 72 and 73 on the benches are terminated a distance from trailer wall 68, FIG. 6, leaving slots 69a and 69b at the respective ends of the rails. Table 50 may be vertically positioned edgewise into the slot. It is thus firmly held in position while traveling, while the area is used for other purposes. Table bottom 52 faces trailer wall 57, and table leg 53 is held securely therebetween. Where desired a shelf or the like may be secured to the wall above the table bracket. At night, the table may be used in combination with the benches and cushions to form a comfortable bed.

I claim:

1. In a height telescoping trailer having an upper section telescopically mounted on a lower section, a cabinet comprismg:

a. an upper cabinet portion fixedly mounted in the upper section of the telescoping trailer;

b. a lower cabinet portion mounted in the lower section and selectively placeable in registered relationship to said upper cabinet;

c. means attached to the bottom of said lower cabinet portion and cooperative means attached to the trailers floor extending outwardly from beneath said upper cabinet portion whereby said lower cabinet portion may be moved away from a registered position underneath said upper cabinet portion permittingsaid upper cabinet portion to clear said lower cabinet portion when the trailer is telescoped;

d. stop means at opposed ends of said track means for stopping the motion of said lower compartment; and

e. closure means mounted on said upper and lower cabinets, wherein said lower cabinet has a planar top for use as a work surface and said closure means are hinged doors with retaining means.

2. In a height telescoping trailer, a cabinet according to claim 1 further characterized by handle means secured to said lower cabinet for pulling said lower cabinet along said track.

3. For use in a height-telescoping trailer having an upper section and a lower section and with fixed benches mounted in said lower section, an improved removable table comprising:

a. a member providing a planar surface for serving as a table b. a foldable leg extending from said member opposite said planar surface supporting said member at table height;

c. leg bracket means fixedly attached to the bottom of said member and to said leg for selectively holding said leg in a position generally perpendicular to said member and parallel therewith;

d. means inclusive of bracket means fixedly mounted to the lower wall of the height-telescoping trailer and hook means fixedly mounted on the edge 0 said table for selective engagement therebetween; and in a horizontal position in cooperation with said leg;

e. cleat means depending from opposed faces of the fixed benches for retaining said member in a generally vertical position with said leg folded parallel thereto.

4. For use in a height-telescoping trailer with fixed benches for seating around a table, an improved removable table according to claim 3 wherein said cleat means are horizontal running rails for selectively supporting both mattress-type cushions and a mattress supporting board, and said rails define a slot adjacent the trailer wall into which said table may be inserted. 

1. In a height telescoping trailer having an upper section telescopically mounted on a lower section, a cabinet comprising: a. an upper cabinet portion fixedly mounted in the upper section of the telescoping trailer; b. a lower cabinet portion mounted in the lower section and selectively placeable in registered relationship to said upper cabinet; c. means attached to the bottom of said lower cabinet portion and cooperative means attached tO the trailer''s floor extending outwardly from beneath said upper cabinet portion whereby said lower cabinet portion may be moved away from a registered position underneath said upper cabinet portion permitting said upper cabinet portion to clear said lower cabinet portion when the trailer is telescoped; d. stop means at opposed ends of said track means for stopping the motion of said lower compartment; and e. closure means mounted on said upper and lower cabinets, wherein said lower cabinet has a planar top for use as a work surface and said closure means are hinged doors with retaining means.
 2. In a height telescoping trailer, a cabinet according to claim 1 further characterized by handle means secured to said lower cabinet for pulling said lower cabinet along said track.
 3. For use in a height-telescoping trailer having an upper section and a lower section and with fixed benches mounted in said lower section, an improved removable table comprising: a. a member providing a planar surface for serving as a table top; b. a foldable leg extending from said member opposite said planar surface supporting said member at table height; c. leg bracket means fixedly attached to the bottom of said member and to said leg for selectively holding said leg in a position generally perpendicular to said member and parallel therewith; d. means inclusive of bracket means fixedly mounted to the lower wall of the height-telescoping trailer and hook means fixedly mounted on the edge of said table for selective engagement therebetween; and in a horizontal position in cooperation with said leg; e. cleat means depending from opposed faces of the fixed benches for retaining said member in a generally vertical position with said leg folded parallel thereto.
 4. For use in a height-telescoping trailer with fixed benches for seating around a table, an improved removable table according to claim 3 wherein said cleat means are horizontal running rails for selectively supporting both mattress-type cushions and a mattress supporting board, and said rails define a slot adjacent the trailer wall into which said table may be inserted. 